Duncan leads Red Raiders past Scotties
ALVERTON – Some coaches like to see a basketball team get away to a fast start, others like a fast finish, while mostly they want both with a couple of spurts in between. Uniontown used the latter theory last night, triggered by the hot shooting hand of Brandon Duncan, to defeat host Southmoreland, 97-59, and hold onto first place in Section 3-AAA.
The Raiders took the lead for good with a 12-point run in the first quarter, closed the game with a string of eight, and, in between, there were runs of 7, 8, 8, 9 and 7 on the way to leads of 24-16, 51-31, 77-43, closing with 20-16 in the fourth for their 14th win in 19 games (8-1 section).
Southmoreland got away to a 5-3 lead before Uniontown started to move, but the stubborn Scotties stayed close until midway in the second, and then the Raiders moved into high gear and opened up a 20-point lead at halftime, moving away from there.
Raider coach Rob Kezmarsky said, “When you play on the road and you are expected to win, you have to stay focused. Southmoreland came out strong at the start, and they played hard. They played hard all the way really, and they kept the pressure on us.
“We have a section test at home with Derry on Friday and then play Laurel Highlands at home on Saturday, so this was a big test tonight to help us get ready for those two games. From here on out, especially on the road, you have to win and the pressure is all on you.”
Southmoreland coach Bill Schrecengost said, “We went toe to toe with them for a while, but they have so much talent. They are very quick and they really move up and down the floor. I’m pleased with the effort our players gave. To be 0-17 and go after Uniontown like they did, I feel they gave a good account of themselves.
“In the first half, we traded goals, but while we were shooting twos, they were shooting threes. I was also pleased with the way we went to the boards, I thought we did very well.”
Duncan led the Uniontown offense, scoring a game high of 32 points from about every angle on the floor, including six three-pointers with 25 of his total coming in the middle two quarters (13-12).
Kezmarsky said, “He’s a good player with a fine attitude. He works very hard for what he gets, and with him out there it’s like having another coach in the lineup.”
Mays added 15 points and Hodge 12 for the Raiders, while Rollinson had 23 and Hawkins 13 for the Scotties.
Duncan opened the game with a long three, and then Southmoreland took its only lead on Aaron buckets by Russell and Mike Frazier, and Troy Rollinson’s free throw. Then Uniontown made its first run, with Paul Gmutza’s layin, Reese Hodge’s two free ones, Junior Mays’ a steal and go, Hodge off a rebound, one from the side and from the circle for a 15-5 lead, and the Raiders never looked back.
Southmoreland got back within six (17-11), on baskets by Frazier, Rollinson and Chris Hawkins, sandwiched around Gmutza’s rebound goal, but the Raiders spurted again with Mays’ two free ones and a long three and a Duncan layin.
Late in the second, the Scotties closed to 44-30, but Mays sank two threes and Kelvin Brown made a layin, around a Larry Earnesty free toss, and the Raiders led 51-31 at intermission.
Midway in the third, Southmoreland fought back to trail 55-35, then the Raiders counted a Duncan three, a Jackson layin, and Mays and Duncan scored off rebounds for a 64-35 lead.
Southmoreland’s best run was an 11-point spurt in the fourth. Earnesty had a free one, Hawkins a short jumper, Rollinson a layin, plus the free throw when he was fouled as he scored, Rollinson made two more from the line and Matt Odroneic tossed in a long three.